Hi everyone! I have been lurking around here for the last two weeks and have finally decided to start a journal. I think it will help as I will have to be accountable for whatever I eat. I am 5'7" and currently I weigh 176 and my goal is about 130. At one time I weighed almost 250 and got down to 160 but slowly over the last year I have regained some weight and am up to 176 now. I feel mad and disappointed at myself for doing this, but the only thing I can do is work hard to lose it again. So, what I am doing to try and lose the weight...<br />Portion, calorie, and fat intake control<br />Trying to cut out sugar alltogether<br />Drinking lots of water<br />Working out at the gym 5-6 days a week (different exercise classes everyday)<br />Lots of walking<br />Weighing on monday mornings only<br />Posting HERE daily - I will post my exercise and food intake every night.<br />I hope I can do this. I KNOW I can do this. I've done it before. It takes a lot of determination, and mind over matter. It takes realizing what you want in the long term (a slim body) being more important than what you want in the short term (cheesecake). But we all have the power within us to do it. That said, I will move on with my day. And I will report back here tonight with my food intake and what I did for exercise. See you all then!<br />-Lana

Hi Lana!<br />I'm new here too. I was drawn to your journal because of your name. I went to church with someone named Lana when I was a kid. I can tell you have made up your mind to do this, so you will. I also do portion control, and try to stay out of the sugar foods, although I usually have on pop a day.(not diet) You're way ahead of me in your commitment to exercise. That will help you a bunch! Just want to let you know I'm rooting for you and will be checking up on you!!<br />You can do it!!<br />jode

Hi again everyone!<br />Here is my food and exercise journal for today...<br />-Breakfast - <br />-3 cups coffee w/creamer (international delight french vanilla...I know this is very bad but I am very addicted, and so I just try to limit myself to a few cups a day.)<br />-1 banana<br />-Lunch - <br />-2 spring rolls w/plum sauce and about 4 cups chicken chow mein w/soya sauce (I work in a chinese restaurant and today I worked through lunch hour.)<br />-Dinner -<br />-About 2 cups rice w/ margarine and 1 cup cooked broccoli w/margarine, sea salt and pepper.<br />-Snacks -<br />-1 glass fruit juice<br />-4 tiny animal cookies, each dipped in a small amount of icing. (my version of homemade dunkaroos for the kids.)

-Exercise-<br />-I attended a 1 hour tone and stretch class this morning (lots of work with free weights and lots of stretching.)

-Today I also drank at least 6 glasses of ice water.

All in all, an okay day. Wish I wasn't so tempted by chinese food, though. It's a weakness, and serving it to people all day makes me very hungry for it. <br />PS...Hi Jode. It's very nice to meet you!<br />That's all for today. Will post back here tomorrow night.<br />-Lana

Hi Lana!<br />I said I'd be back. You had a great day yesterday didn't you!?!?!? I'm really impressed at you excercise commitment. I find when a person has a great day, like you did, and feels good about themselves, it really keeps the motivation going! Keep it up...you're doing great! <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <br />jode

Hi Lana, that's really great that 90 lbs before! It's hard to start eating right again but you can do it! Everyone's cheering you on! <img src="graemlins/heart.gif" border="0" alt="[heart]" />